Kentville man who produced meth in apartment in North End Market building handed federal sentence

There was a heavy police presence around the North End Market convenience store building on Mee Road in Kentville on March 11, 2017. The investigation was related to suspected methamphetamine production activity in the basement of the building. - Jennifer Vardy Little

KENTVILLE, NS - A Kentville man who produced methamphetamine in a basement apartment in the North End Market building will serve federal time.

Andrew Ross Baltzer, 23, pleaded guilty in September to charges of unlawfully producing methamphetamine and committing mischief by willfully interfering with the lawful enjoyment of property. He was enrolled in the Court Monitored Mental Health Program (CMMHP) at the time he entered the guilty pleas.

Baltzer was taken into custody for allegedly breaching his recognizance in November. On Nov. 29, the court withdrew Baltzer’s acceptance into the CMMHP. Baltzer was remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing.

On Jan. 18, Judge Ronda Van Der Hoek sentenced Baltzer to two years and 30 days in custody for unlawfully producing methamphetamine. Baltzer was fined $200 in victim surcharges and the court granted a forfeiture order for items seized in relation to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charge. The court also imposed a 12-year, 30-day firearm prohibition against Baltzer. He was fined a total of $65 on the mischief charge. Baltzer committed the offences in Kentville on March 10, 2017.

Baltzer pleaded guilty on Jan. 18 to a charge of failing to comply with his recognizance in New Minas on Nov. 22, 2017, by failing to remain in his residence at all times. He was fined a total of $65 for this offence.

Members of the Kentville Police Service and Kentville firefighters received a report of a suspicious odour from the owner of the North End Market building on Mee Road at around 8:30 p.m. on March 10, 2017.

After entering the building to locate the source, police and fire officials discovered what appeared to be a suspected drug activity related to the production of methamphetamine. The building was immediately evacuated due to the toxic nature of the chemicals involved.

The Kings County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit, RCMP Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team and Kings County HAZMAT Unit including firefighters from the Kentville, New Minas and Wolfville departments were called to assist.